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Defending champ Matt Kuchar advances in WGC Match Play

MARANA, Ariz., Feb. 20 (UPI) -- Defending champ Matt Kuchar advanced but Henrik Stenson, Justin Rose and Rory McIlroy were bounced from the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship Thursday.

Kuchar struggled against Ryan Moore in second-round play at the Golf Club at Dove Mountain but finally emerged with a 1-up victory.

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Seeded second in the Gary Player bracket, Kuchar now moves on to face Jordan Spieth, who routed Thomas Bjorn 5 & 4.

Rose, the top seed in the Player bracket, fell to Ernie Els, who parred the 19th hole for the victory. His next foe will be Jason Dufner, a 2 & 1 winner over Matteo Manassero.

Bobby Jones bracket top seed Stenson was upended 4 & 3 by Louis Oosthuizen, who with the win drew fifth-seeded Webb Simpson in the third round.

Other Bobby Jones bracket winners included second-seeded Jason Day and 14th-seeded George Coetzee.

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The Ben Hogan bracket saw Sergio Garcia and Rickie Fowler emerge with wins, while the top-seeded McIlroy was beaten by Harris English.

Jim Furyk bested Charl Schwartzel 3 & 2.

In the Sam Snead bracket, third-seeded Bubba Watson held off Jonas Blixt, 2-up, and moves on to face Victor Dubuisson.

Hunter Mahan and Graeme McDowell also notched victories Thursday.

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